Canine Cushing's disease--also known as hyperadrenocorticism--usually involves a pituitary gland tumor that causes the pituitary to overproduce a hormone and stimulate the adrenal glands, resulting in excessive cortisol secretion. If you're looking for natural, nonchemical means to treat your dog's condition, try one of the following homeopathic remedies to help improve his health.
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Herbs
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Before using homeopathic remedies, consult your veterinarian to discuss your dog's condition and what could work best for him. If you have an elderly dog, make sure any herbs you use will not cause detrimental effects on his health. Whatever herbs you use, exercise careful monitoring and proper usage. If you catch the Cushing's in its early stages, homeopathic remedies will be more effective, especially if you use them in conjunction with any other treatments that your vet suggests.
A number of herbal remedies in tincture form will help treat your dog's Cushing's. Use dandelion (taraxacum officinale) to help support regular adrenal functioning, and as a tonic for the adrenal glands, liver and kidneys. To detoxify tissues and help remove wastes from your dog's body, use burdock (arctium lappa); this herb also maintains normal-range blood sugar levels.
To help maintain healthy adrenal cortical function, use huang qi (astragalus membranaceous). This Chinese herb acts as an adaptogen and helps support not only balance in the adrenal glands, but also normal-range blood pressure and blood sugar levels, and functions of the immune system.
Other herbs that either help strengthen your dog's digestive system, immune system, kidneys and liver include apple cider vinegar, clivers, clover, kelp, milk thistle, nettle, rosehips, Siberian ginseng and wormwood.
PetAlive Cushex Drops
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While you can use the aforementioned herbal remedies on their own to treat your dog's Cushing's, you can use a natural product that not only contains astragalus, burdock and dandelion, but other homeopathic remedies that help reduce some Cushing's symptons.
PetAlive Cushex Drops (which you can buy online from any number of outlets) contains the following ingredients, at a low potency of 30C: arsenicum,which helps keep your dog's thirst and urination levels in a normal range, and helps maintain digestive health and balanced body fluid; hepar sulph or sulphur, which treats and heals your dog's skin and any infections or wounds he may have as a result of Cushing's (sulphur also acts as a digestive tonic); and mercurius, which soothes your dog's nerves and helps maintain normal thirst.
Mix Cushex Drops with your dog's food or a treat. Administer two to three times daily, using the following doses: If your dog weighs less than 20 lbs., give him 2 to 3 drops; if your dog weighs between 20 and 50 lbs., give him 5 drops; if your dog weighs 50 lbs. or more, administer 8 to 10 drops.
Other Remedies
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To help balance the actions of your dog's pituitary gland and reduce the effects of Cushing's Disease, give her low potencies (30c) of homeopathic pituitary over a lengthy period of time and monitor the usage closely. Homeopathic formic acid helps restore your dog's health and restores her affected coat. Administer a potency of 6x over a period of one to two months.
Changing your dog's diet could help improve her Cushing's condition. Put your dog on a natural diet of raw meats and vegetables, one that will help improve her immune system and help balance her metabolism to fuel healthy interaction between her adrenal glands and all other systems.
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